Bottom Paint for Stainless Engine Bracket?

[R_Andersen]

I have a stainless steel Armstrong engine bracket on my boat and I'm wondering what the proper antifouling paint would be for it? Last season I just used the regular bottom paint and painted over the existing paint on the bracket that was there from the previous owner. When I pulled the boat out this year, most of the paint had come off and the growth on the bracket was trmendous.

I've read not to use copper based paints on the stainless steel since it can cause corrosion, so I'm wondering what the right type of paint would be.

Thanks for any advice,
Rob

[wiseguy]

I took my bracket and sanded it down to bare aluminum. Used a primer (not at home and don't remember the name) but I top coated with Interlux Trilux 33. There is a Interlux prime made for this I just don't remember the name. When I pulled the boat this fall it looked just like it did at Easter when I painter it.

[danielb]

Sand and coat with Zinc chromate and then paint with an antifouling paint suitable for outdrives made of Aluminium-if you use reg. bottom paint (with copper) on the Aluminium bracket you will have swiss cheese in short order. By the way the Stainless bracket is not stainless-brand name and very misleading-by the way don't forget to change the button Zinc on the bottom and make sure the thing is water tight too.
On the top side of the bracket I use marine polyurethane, works fine with same primer.

Remember-preparation of the bare metal is the key to a successful paint job.

[ko]

Use epaint. Just sand the existing paint lightly and put it on over. No sanding to bare metal or any of that. It comes in white. I use in on aluminum brackets and it works very well. The Coast Guard and NOAA use it on their aluminum hulls. Look at epaint.net. I found this worked MUCH better than trilux as I keep my boat in a high-fouling waterway (warm and polluted). It will turn a bit tea-colored in some waterways, but still almost no growth at all all season long.

[R_Andersen]

Thanks for the advice guys. This bracket is definately stainless steel, not aluminum. Would the same paints for aluminum be suitable for stainless steel?

Also, If I were to prime it with an aluminum safe primer, could I then just use a regular copper based paint over the primer or do I still need to use an aluminum safe paint?

Thanks again,
Rob

[Seaveyor]

i'm putting on stainless trim tabs by Bennett and they say get in touch with your paint co. There are different kinds of stainless. I' m going to go to my local shop where i buy paint, i'm sure they will have the answer. Good Luck